Steps of Faith

I’m Diamond Deacon, mother to Kyle and Bailey. I’ve lived in Crawfordsville all of my life. I’ve attended Calvary Chapel for over 11 years now. It doesn’t seem possible! My childhood was simple and filled with good memories. We didn’t attend church for most of my childhood and the few years that I did attend church, I was taught to fear God as well as some other beliefs that I now know were false teachings. As you will read, my salvation day is when I really started living. I enjoy participating in Bible studies and fellowship with my sisters in Christ.
Currently I teach kindergarten at Hose Elementary School. Kyle is 25 and lives in Lafayette. Bailey is a sophomore at CHS. My children are the joys of my life and I thank God for them continually. In my spare time, I am the carpool mom as I am crazy enough to love being around the teens in my daughter’s life. I’m enjoying this season of my life as I open myself to new experiences, new friends, and new hobbies.

April 18, 1999 – the first day of the rest of my life.

Pastor Dave was teaching in Malachi and God grabbed my heart and I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. My life was in the pit and I finally looked up. My husband and I were planning to divorce and after receiving my salvation, I went home and asked him to reconsider. The plans were put on hold and my walk with the Lord began. Life sailed along and while things weren’t great, I was happy with Jesus. I kept my focus on Him and some changes started happening.
Our jobs were very consuming and they took quite a toll on our family. I had promised Mark that I would continue working after Bailey was born. After 9/11, I spent considerable time re-evaluating my life. I had a restlessness that I didn’t understand. A year later a situation developed in my job that required me to disregard my moral values. After that particularly ugly day, I was crying out to my Lord that I could no longer work there and I distinctly heard the words, “Why don’t you trust Mark?” Our marriage was still rocky and I knew I couldn’t quit as he had always wanted me to work. After more prayer, I took a step of faith and went home and bared my soul to Mark about the job, my desire to be a better wife and mother, and the toll that disregarding my values would take on me personally. Much to my surprise, Mark said that he trusted me and if quitting was the only answer, he agreed. I have never felt as vulnerable as when I chose to follow God’s leading at that time.

Our home environment changed dramatically at this time. My marriage started to improve which was the answer to many prayers. I was closer to my children, although my son (who was a high school senior) was not so happy that his mother could keep up with his whereabouts now:) For the next year, I thought about what I should do in life. I tried different jobs to see what I would like. I also volunteered at Bailey’s school. Eventually, I began working in the school as a playground supervisor. This led to a job as a teacher’s aide. Then the first seeds were planted as I was asked why I didn’t go back to school to become a teacher. At first I just laughed this off. I was 39 years old and was not going to a campus everyday to be with those teeny boppers! I’d be paying my student loans with my social security check! God and I had several arguments over the next year as this idea just did not make sense to me. I remember crying out to Him and saying I would only go to college if I could do it from home as I still needed to work and would not go to campus for classes. Lo’ and behold, someone told me about the WED (Woods External Degree) program at St. Mary of the Woods. I literally could do all of my work from home and I only needed to go to campus at the beginning of each semester. The best news was that St. Mary’s was recognized as an excellent school for teacher candidates so God ended any arguments that I may try to get out of this step of faith.

Age 40 and beginning college, there were times when I really wondered what God was thinking and this was one of them. I had no idea how I would accomplish college on top of everything else in my life. It was during this journey that Satan really began his attack. My husband wasn’t walking with the Lord during this time and our marriage was rocky again. I find it intriguing that the same verses that we are studying now were the verses that I kept in my mind during these times. I knew I had to finish this race and I had to continually remind myself of Eph. 6:12:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this age.

It wasn’t Mark that I was battling, but instead my marriage was filled with spiritual warfare. I was clinging to Jesus during these times while Mark was walking further and further away. It was frightening to watch as Satan shot arrow after arrow at Mark until ultimately, he chose to end our marriage. I still had one year of college left and one semester of this year would include student teaching. I would have to quit my job and totally rely on God for everything. I needed God to help the kids and I through this divorce. I needed God to help me finish school. I needed God to help provide financial resources during this time. I needed God’s strength as I was empty, just plain empty. During this time I was walking in faith every step of my journey. I was clinging tightly to His promise to me in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a hope and a future.

I love taking the time to re-read my journals during this trying time, God proved himself over and over in my life. Simply put, He carried me.

On May 2, 2009, God and I received our diploma. It was a triumphant moment because we reached the goal that He set for me five long years ago. Now it was time to find a job. St. Mary’s has a seminar for teachers to help them in their job search. There were several superintendents from various schools and they told us point blank, “Elementary teachers are a dime a dozen and there just are not openings. Because of the large candidate pool, if there are openings, the schools can pick the cream of the crop so you better be able to stand out.” Driving home, I had a choice. I could believe Jeremiah 29 or I could get discouraged. I chose God. I knew He would provide. After praying and waiting a couple of months, I was offered a job.

Last year brought blessings beyond measure and more joy than I ever thought possible. Bailey and I have adjusted to our new life. She’s been able to witness blessing after blessing as God provides for us. We have felt peace in our home that wasn’t always there. I enjoyed teaching more than I could imagine. The best part of my teaching experience was sharing God with my kids. My kids knew how important God was in my life and they knew I prayed for them daily. The schools offer a moment of silence before the pledge. My students honored this moment because I made it clear that I was using my moment to pray for them. When they shared issues in their life, they would ask me to pray. They would bring their Bibles to read during silent reading. They would read their Bibles at night for their reading assignment. When they would write about their reading, I would respond with encouragement and share my thoughts on the scriptures they were reading. God was invited into my classroom and He was there every day.

As we know, Satan is always waiting to attack. The ‘severe recession’ has affected all of us. Education was impacted greatly when the governor cut funding to the schools. I received my Reduction in Force (RIF) letter in March. I was at another crossroad: would I step out in faith and believe that God would provide or would I succumb to the fear, discouragement, and frustration that grips those affected by the economic situation? I went home and read my journals again. God had brought me through so many trials, why wouldn’t I trust him yet again? Would I hold onto His promise in Jeremiah 29? I chose God. This allowed me the most teachable God moment that I was able to share with my own children, my students, and my peers. I trusted that God would provide and all I wanted to do was shine for Him through this trial. Job or no job, I would shine for Him. I chose to tell my students so they would hear the news from me. We all cried on the day that I told them. They were so sweet as they asked what they could do. They were plotting letter campaigns and phone calls to save my job. As we gathered around, I asked them to do one thing and only one thing for me. I asked them to pray. We talked about how God was in control and they knew my beliefs on prayer.

For the next couple of months, we went on with business as usual. I loved teaching even more and just knew that God would provide. In the middle of May, I received a phone call from our superintendent. She had a kindergarten position available for me. I was ecstatic! I just love when God brings those blessings to us that cause us to drop to our knees. I can picture Him smiling down upon us as we cry for joy. I couldn’t wait for Monday so I could tell my kids. On Monday morning I reminded them of my request for prayer. Some of them shared that they were still praying and several had parents praying as well. I was thrilled to give God the glory that He was due for our answered prayers. It was a wonderful God moment and one I will not forget. I only hope that all of my kids will remember it as well. I want them to know that they have a Father in Heaven that loves them and looks to answer their prayers always.

Pastor Dave teaches that God will lead our paths if we let Him. He will direct our path step by step and we just need to take each step in faith. He doesn’t show us the entire journey since most of us would turn and high tail it the other way. I know if I had seen the 5 year college journey when I left my job, I would not have taken the first step. I would have thought about the cost of college and decided to stay at my job and take one class at a time so they would pay the tuition. I would never have had the courage to quit and start college as an act of faith. By taking one step at a time, I have seen my journey filled with blessings beyond measure. I could never in my wildest dreams believe that life could be wonderful, fun, and surpass even my crazy imagination. God just required me to take that one step so my journey could begin….I’m sure He is doing the same with you.

Will you step out in faith?

God's Revelation of Love

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Hello, for all those who don’t know me, my name is Claudia Hurt. I am 29 years old and I am single. I am blessed to be one of seven children and have been blessed with a mother and father who have showed me unconditional love no matter what. Growing up, I knew I could always go to them with whatever I was struggling with and they would be there for me, not judging me but comforting me. I was raised going to Calvary Chapel from an early age, and I even gave my life to the Lord then. However, as they say, “life happens”! Now I have been back seven years, after recommitting my life at the age of 23.


When I was in high school, I had this recurring dream that I would be married at the age of 23, that I would be walking down the aisle to my “husband,” who was standing inside a gazebo dressed in a white tux. I could never see his face, and all the white chairs were empty of people, but I knew it was my wedding day and I was walking up the aisle to “him.” Well, needless to say, 23 came and went, and still I remained single. Looking back on it, I realize that it was a pretty hard time for me. Everything seemed to be going right in my life except for this one aspect.



On my knees one day, I cried out to Jesus and asked Him why I had this dream for so long. He showed me that I had been married that year. When I had dreamed about walking up that aisle, I had been walking up to “Him”; when I had made my commitment, I had been making it to “Him”! I pledged my life to Him, to honor Him, to cherish Him for the rest of my life. It was one of my “aha” moments—a revelation! I have been so blessed and amazed by our God!

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
See, my perspective was off, and I had been thinking only in the physical realm. I was thinking earthly, when God showed me the bigger picture—the eternal picture that He had and still has for me. What a comfort that was for me then and now!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5
This personal revelation has made me see the bigger picture. I am truly a blessed individual! I have a merciful Savior, a Comforter, and a Friend! Now more than ever, I rest in Him and have a peace that surpasses all understanding.
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” Proverbs 3:17-18

Embracing the Perfect One

I am Alyssa Powell and I am married to my high school sweetheart, Shane (whom I chased from the fourth grade on). We have two amazing and fun children, Ethan (6) and Emily (4). Shane and I have lived in Crawfordsville our entire lives with the exception of four years when we both attended Hanover College. We followed Dave and Angie to Calvary Chapel and are honored to say we've been here for nearly 20 years.

I am fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom and I have the opportunity to home-school Ethan. I love Beth Moore bible studies and being a part of my Thursday Women's Bible Study. When I have time, I enjoy scrapbooking, reading fiction and a watching a good chick-flick. I LOVE football and I am a HUGE Colts fan. Sadly, I am addicted to diet coke and am radio's "1070 the Fan". I might also be addicted to Swedish Fish and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups . . .

If you watch any television at all, you're bound to see a commercial for depression. Whenever I see one of those commercials my heart stops because I feel like they're describing me.

You see, I battle depression.

It's not something I have shared with very many people because I have been afraid of what others would think. Actually, it wasn't until this past year that I could even admit it to myself. As a Christian, I have felt ashamed that I couldn't study, pray or fast myself out of feeling depressed. After all, if I was a strong enough Christian I wouldn't feel the way I do, right?

Just over a year ago my husband confronted me in the most loving way possible. He revealed to me that my masquerading wasn't fooling anyone. My family was suffering - my husband felt unloved and undesired, my children felt like I would rather be anywhere than at home taking care of them. A couple of my dearest friends suggested that I might be depressed and encouraged me to seek help. They saw me striving and working, praying and fasting, hoping somehow to work my way out of the rut I was in. Unfortunately no matter what I did, I was stuck.

To make a long story short, about a year ago I found myself in the office of a Christian counselor. Afraid and ashamed, I answered a series of general questions and then we began to "talk". After a few minutes she stood up and reached for a book from her bookshelf. She handed it to me and asked me to read it before my next session. I read the book and at the end of the book there was a quiz. I took the quiz and it revealed I had obsessive compulsive tendencies. During my next few sessions we talked a lot about these tendencies and how they were affecting my life.

For me, the obsessive compulsive tendencies were a means to being the perfect person, perfect mother, perfect wife and perfect Christian. I would obsess over every (and I do mean every) part of my life striving to be perfect. At night I would lay awake replaying conversations I had with friends, worried that I said the wrong thing, afraid that they might have misinterpreted what I meant, ashamed that I had somehow misrepresented our Lord. My thought life was like a hurricane - out of control, wild and unpredictable. As a result, my life was a constant disappointment and I felt like I never measured up. No wonder I was depressed.

During one particular counseling session I was going on and on about some situation and obsessing over how I handled it and complaining about what a failure I was. I remember saying "I should have" probably a dozen times. The counselor gently asked me, "Who's telling you that - because it certainly isn't the Lord". I quickly and arrogantly retorted "I am"!

And therein was the problem - me. I had an unrealistic, unbiblical and unhealthy expectation for my life. I wanted to be perfect and my pride had convinced me that if I tried hard enough, I could be.

C.S. Lewis says that "Pride is a spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment or even common sense." My pride kept me from getting the help I desperately needed and kept me from enjoying rich, abundant life in Christ. Praise God for a loving husband and amazing friends who loved me too much to watch me destroy myself and everything I hold dearly! This past year has been a journey of loosening the grips of perfectionism in order to embrace the Perfect One.

It sounds silly to say, but my counselor reminded me that there was only One perfect person - Jesus. His goal is not for me to be perfect. Every time I put my desire to be perfect above His desire for my life, I put myself on the throne that belongs to Christ alone. In my counseling sessions, we began to study and pour over scriptures that were already familiar to me but took on new significance. Scriptures like Romans 12:2 " . . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." I had to choose to replace what I thought about myself with what God's word says about me, to replace my ideas about pleasing Him with what He says pleases Him. I had to confront the truth that my righteousness was as filthy rags and no matter how hard I try, I can never earn His love or approval. He loves me for no other reason than that I am His.

Sweet friends, I want to leave you with an excerpt written by Sarah Young from Jesus Calling:

"I want you to experience the riches of your salvation: the joy of being loved constantly and unconditionally. You make a practice of judging yourself, based on how you look or behave or feel. If you like what you see in the mirror, you feel a bit more worthy of My Love. When things are going smoothly and your performance seems adequate, you find it easier to believe you are My beloved child. When you feel down, you tend to look inward so you can correct whatever is wrong. Instead of trying to fix yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect love."

In Christ's Perfect Love,
Alyssa

(Though I don't like to make a habit of publicly commenting about what is contributed here, I do want to share that depression really does hurt. It is wounding and can devastate even the Christian life. If you struggle with depression or need to connect with someone who cares, please contact me, Alyssa, Angie Keesee or another strong woman in the Lord. There is no reason to suffer in silence. God really, truly can break the bonds of depression and set you free! As Alyssa mentioned above, there are resources available in our own community--word-based, Christian help. And we want to pray for you, too. ~Jen)

For The Love Of My Sisters

(I errantly first published that Vi Goodrich is from Harvest Chapel, when she is in fact from Horizon Christian Fellowship, Indianapolis. Sorry for any confusion!)

For the Love of My Sisters
John 13:34
Calvary Chapel Women’s Retreat
November 5th and 6th
Hanging Rock Christian Assembly

I want to share with you something that God has been laying on my heart for many months. Several months ago, I was feeling overwhelmed and sad after losing a good friend who had battled breast cancer for four years. Her funeral was amazing and completely Spirit led ~ her life and death were a testimony of her incredible faith in God and how she placed all of her trust in Him ~ even if that meant dying. I was able to worship and grieve at the funeral and for several weeks before and after Gayle passed away with some of my amazing sisters in Christ from our previous church in Lafayette. We shared a bond that began, for me, many years ago after attending a women’s retreat when I was new to the church. I had a desire to get to know some of the women and families. It was during the retreat that I met a lot of women who wanted to know me and my family, too. God was faithful and He gave me the desire of my heart to have a family-like bond with other families in our church. I attended and helped plan retreats in the following years and saw God doing amazing things for the women, individually and collectively!

I began wondering and praying about the women at Calvary ~ I wondered if there were other women who, like me, desired to find sisters in Christ within our body. Were there other women who wanted to connect on a deeper level than just a quick “Hi!” as they flew in and out of church on Sunday morning?

The Lord swiftly began speaking to my heart. I was driving to Indianapolis on a beautiful early morning in May and was listening to Sidewalk Prophets singing, “Change This Heart” and I became overwhelmed with the Spirit tugging at me about offering a retreat for the women at Calvary. I prayed over this for several weeks and shared it with a few friends, who encouraged me to talk it over with Dave and Angie. When I brought the idea to them, they were completely on board and agreed that it would bless many women in the church.

So….I am thrilled and honored that the Lord would allow me to invite you to come to a retreat on November 5th and 6th, at Hanging Rock near Rockport! The retreat will begin Friday evening including an overnight stay, and continue through Saturday, ending that evening. Our speaker will be Vi Goodrich, wifr of Bill Goodrich, senior pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship in Indianapolis and she will be speaking on John 13:34. We are planning for amazing worship, teaching, time alone with the Lord, and time together to meet and get to know our fellow sisters at Calvary Chapel. Anyone can attend, so pray about bringing someone. I would love to fill all 88 spots available!

There will be more details very soon! For now, if you have any questions, you can ask myself, Alyssa Powell, Cindy Ellingwood, Jen Henze, Joanie Menard, or Jeannie Stevens.

I am praying that the Lord will speak to you and lead you to this special event in November with us!

In Christ's Love,

Heidi Myers

August Update

Hello!  Just a quick note to thank all of you for your encouraging e-mails and kind words.  I am so blessed at the amount of traffic on this site!  I hope you are finding it encouraging and inspiring in your own relationship with Christ.

Quickly, I want to again encourage you to make comments on the posts you are reading.  It ministers to the writer as well as other readers for you to share.  Plus, we get to know each other better!

Coming soon will be more information about the upcoming Women's Retreat, November 5-6, 2010.  If you haven't already marked this on your calendar, please do so!  I am so excited about how God is developing this special time to get away with Him and with each other.  Heidi will be posting more information about the theme for the retreat in a day or two so be sure to check back soon.  There is also a tab at the top you can always click on to find info etc.

As always, if you have something you would like to share in this space, something to contribute, please contact me.  You don't have to be an accomplished writer to share--just willing to share what God is doing in your life!

Blessings to you all...
~Jen

World Cup, Carrefour and World Missions

If you haven't had the privilege to meet Emily Denny, you are in for a treat! Emily spent the summer serving with OMS in Spain and returned just a few days ago. My husband and I have had the exceptional privilege to get to know her (and her sweet dog, Sophie!) better through our Friday night Bible study. Her heart is devoted to the Lord and His love radiates from her. During the school year, she teaches English at Northridge Middle School and has passion for reaching her students. Below, she shares just one of the many ways she encountered God this summer...

~Jen

I had finally found it. A Spain soccer t-shirt complete with the new star on it to show that Spain had won its first World Cup Championship. Not only did it have the star, but it was also reasonably priced. I had no idea when I first landed in Spain that I would end up a fan of Spain’s soccer team, but it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement as a nation normally divided by regional differences came together to cheer for their team. Little did I know that purchasing that t-shirt would open up an unexpected opportunity.

A few days later, I decided to wear my new shirt. I was helping Sylvia, the OMS missionary, get ready to have a Christian music group come over to her house for dinner after their concert. We went to Carrefour, the European version of Wal-Mart, and bought groceries. On our way out, a Spaniard heard us talking in English and stopped us to ask about my shirt. He was surprised but pleased to see an American supporting Spain. We talked about the team for a little bit and about Fernando Torres, the player whose name was on my shirt. Sylvia then invited him to the concert, and he said that he might be able to attend.

I have no idea if this man went to the concert or not, but I have prayed for him several times since that meeting. I certainly didn’t buy the t-shirt thinking that it might be a tool for evangelism in Spain, yet my wearing it opened up the opportunity to meet someone and to invite him to hear the good news about Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we never know when our choices and actions could have an eternal impact. A trip to the grocery store and buying a t-shirt are everyday activities that we do without ever considering what might happen. Yet those everyday actions could be the means to bringing someone to hear about Jesus Christ.

Being a missionary isn’t necessarily about preaching on the streets or handing out tracks or talking to people you’ve never met before. Being a missionary is living your life each moment as an example of the gospel. Being a missionary is trusting God to bring people to you that He wants you to meet. Being a missionary is the sum of a life lived for God in all areas: work, home, spare time, and everything in between.

God has placed us in certain places for a reason. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a foreign country or in your hometown. We are all to be missionaries of God’s love to a world that desperately needs Him. The mission field is just outside our doors, and God daily gives us the tools to reach those around us, even if that tool is an ordinary item like a Spain soccer t-shirt.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16